Water Rights

Water is both a unique and an invaluable resource. With an ever-growing demand, and increasingly constrained supply, water rights, water supply and water management issues have become critical concerns across the United States. Resolving today’s water supply and water quality issues requires multi-disciplinary legal skills and solution-based approaches, assuring regulatory compliance and meeting the needs of both businesses and our nation’s growing population.
 
Best Best & Krieger LLP is a national leader in advising on and resolving water and environmental matters. As California’s largest full-service public agency law firm, we represent the entire spectrum of public agencies that deal with and are affected by water-related issues, including counties, cities, water suppliers, water supply management entities and special districts of every kind. We also represent private industry, advising businesses on modern-day water matters. We advise industries on issues ranging from development and land use, agriculture, manufacturing and processing, food and beverage and other concerns. Recognized for unmatched experience in water rights, water quality and related environmental fields, BB&K handles some of the most cutting-edge water-related issues impacting businesses.
 
Influencing Water Law & Policy
BB&K plays an integral role in shaping state and federal water law and policy. Whether in helping clients or through academic or professional associations, our lawyers are constantly involved in drafting and influencing water-related legislation, rules and regulations, and helping shape water resource policies. Our lawyers literally wrote the book on California water, an authoritative treatise covering the many complicated and inter-related issues of water rights, supply, quality and environmental law. We regularly teach college and professional courses, speak at conferences and publish articles and other literature on all aspects of water rights and water quality.
 
In addition, we serve as outside counsel to emerging nations, including South Africa, Malaysia, Namibia and St. Lucia, helping them develop water laws and policy to suit their specific and changing needs. Our depth and breadth of experience uniquely positions BB&K to advocate and problem solve for clients that are impacted by an ever-evolving web of water resource-related laws and regulations.
 
Unmatched Experience & Comprehensive Service
 Additionally, we advise on and assist with:

• Navigating Sustainable Groundwater Management Act’s procedural requirements and assuring compliance
• Developing and implementing groundwater sustainability plans to protect and manage groundwater supplies on a sustainable basis
• Addressing water quality, Endangered Species Act, California Environmental Quality Act, and National Environmental Policy Act issues and other legal and regulatory requirements that come into play regarding water rights and supply
• Securing MS4 and construction stormwater permits
• Advocating regarding water policies and regulations

BB&K is a vigorous advocate for our water resource clients in state and federal courts across California and the West, and before the State Water Resources Control Board, Regional Water Quality Control Boards and other administrative agencies. We represent clients in all types of water rights proceedings, enforcement actions, permit appeals, citizen suits and other litigation.

From interstate compacts to regional water supply adjudications to local proceedings and landowner disputes, when it comes to water matters, BB&K does it all and has seen it all.